VOICE OF THE PEOPLE (letter)

Mexico's children

There never was a question of them becoming citizens when they came to this country.

They also left poverty and hunger, and with hope to make a new life for themselves and their children.

They came here to adopt this country and become loyal to one country and one flag. There was a lifelong yearning for home and family, but emigrating was a serious and lifelong commitment.

Becoming citizens was not an easy assembly-hall gathering of raising your arm while the Pledge of Allegiance was read.

The children of immigrants read "study books" to them on becoming citizens, translating the Constitution and words they themselves didn't understand.

Some parents took courses offered them and took their test more than once, but eventually they knew what the country was all about--the laws of the land, the government and how it runs, and what privileges are the rewards of citizenship.

I never heard about illegal immigrants. I did hear of deportation of "undesirables." They never got off the boat. Lawbreakers never got into a boat.

Today's immigration problems seem to be Mexico's (because the biggest exodus is from that country), yet that government gives the problem for us to solve. It approves dual citizenship, the employment of Mexico's unemployed, and the education and health of Mexico's children to our government.

Until that country solves those major problems, Uncle Sam will be taking care of Mexico's children, and their parents will feel they have "rights" only U.S. citizens legally possesses.